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Friday, June 20

Carlos Correa, SS, Astros (Lancaster, A+): 1-4, 2 R, HR. In what feels like it’s being written posthumously, Correa hit what may be his final home run of the 2014 season before suffering a leg injury on Saturday. He’ll be fine, but it might bring an end to what has been a fantastic season.

Aaron Sanchez, RHP, Blue Jays (Buffalo, AAA): 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R (2 ER), 4 BB, 4 K. In case the Blue Jays were thinking that he would miraculously find his fastball command after a promotion to Triple-A, Sanchez made certain to reassure them and all of us that he’s still the same pitcher he’s been his entire professional career. Electric arm, no command, lots of walks, lots of strikeouts, moderate effectiveness.

Tyler Wagner, RHP, Brewers (Brevard County, A+): 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K. Generally not a strikeout pitcher, this is the second time in his last four starts that Wagner has fanned at least eight.

Julio Mateo, RHP, Cardinals (GCL Cardinals, R): 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K. Most GCL outings don’t last six innings, but Mateo was extremely efficient with his pitches and did not walk a batter. He generated a lot of weak contact despite sitting 88-90 most of the game, though he did get stronger as he went and hit 91 and 92 in his final inning of work. He also flashed the makings of a nice breaking ball. Extremely young, he will need to put additional weight onto his thin frame in order to increase his velocity, but it was an impressive stateside debut for the 18-year-old from the Dominican.

Kyle Schwarber, C, Cubs (Kane County, A-): 2-3, 2 R, 2B, HR, BB. The Cubs will find a level to challenge Schwarber at some point, but it hasn’t been the Midwest League yet.

Joey Gallo, 3B, Rangers (Frisco, AA): 1-4, R, HR, 3 K. A very Joey Gallo day.

Nomar Mazara, OF, Rangers (Hickory, A-): 3-5, R, HR, K. The tools are loud for Mazara and the production is following close behind.

Henry Owens, LHP, Red Sox (Portland, AA): 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K. As we know, good Henry Owens is very good.

Cheslor Cuthbert, 1B, Royals (Northwest Arkansas, AA): 2-5, 2 R, 2B, HR. The fact that he’s hitting for some power (eight home runs on the season, .417 SLG) is a good sign, but the fact that he’s now seeing time at first base is not. He’ll never hit for enough power to play there.

Saturday, June 21

Charlie Tilson, OF, Cardinals (Palm Beach, A+): 2-4, R, HR. Tilson doesn’t offer much power, but he can turn on an inside pitch just enough to keep pitchers from knocking the bat out of his hands.

Aaron Blair, RHP, Diamondbacks (Visalia, A+): 7 IP, 3 H, R, BB, 9 K. A right-hander with a mid-rotation ceiling and multiple usable pitches, Blair is holding his own nicely in the California League.

Corey Seager, SS, Dodgers (Rancho Cucamunga, A+): 2-5, 2 R, 2B, HR, K. Normally I endorse a conservative approach to prospect promotions, encouraging teams to let a player experience as much success as possible before promoting him, but Seager has little left to achieve in the California League and needs a new challenge.

Justin Nicolino, LHP, Marlins (Jacksonville, AA): 9 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K. Nicolino isn’t flashy, but he throws a ton of strikes and generates a ton of poor contact. It’s a mid-rotation to back-end profile for Nicolino, but the floor is high.

Dylan Bundy, RHP, Orioles (Aberdeen, SS): 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 9 K. This is about what Bundy, who has appeared in the major leagues, should be doing to Rookie-level pitching as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery.

Blake Swihart, C, Red Sox (Portland, C): 2-3, R, HR, K, SB. Swihart is already the best prospect in the Red Sox farm system, and that’s without us being completely sold on the development of his power, If that kicks in, we could have an All-Star on our hands.

Sunday, June 22

Zach Borenstein, OF, Angels (Salt Lake, AAA): 3-4, R, HR, K. After a breakout 2013 season, Borenstein has come crashing back to Earth this year; that was just his second home run of the year.

Matt Olson, 1B, Athletics (Stockton, A+): 2-5, 2 R, 2 HR. Olson has major power and a good eye at the plate, both of which help make up for a below-average hit tool that leads to low averages and high strikeout numbers (though he’s cut the latter down this year).

Jose Peraza, 2B, Braves (Mississippi, AA): 4-6, 2 R, 2B. A contact-based hitter, Peraza was recently promoted to Double-A after hitting .342 in A-ball this season. His ability to put the bat on the ball is what separates him from most prospects.

Robert Stephenson, RHP, Reds (Pensacola, AA): 7 IP, 5 H, 3 R, BB, 7 K. The season hasn’t been as dominant as we might have expected, but he’s been very good nonetheless, maintaining his ability to miss bats. He needs to get back to throwing strikes the way he did last year, but it’s not a major concern.

And Kris Bryant homered… twice.

Thank you for reading

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b00tsRandolph
6/23
Kris Bryant homered thrice. :)
onegameref
6/23
Only twice on Sunday...he will eventually get another type of hit in his 3A career...won't he?
b00tsRandolph
6/23
Ahem. My mistake. Couldn't forget Thursday apparently.
mhmosher
6/23
I find it surprising that Epstein has already come out and said Kris Bryant is unlikely to reach the majors this year. Doesn't that reek of a decision based purely on cost control? Talk about squashing any enthusiasm. Basically, we get to watch Bryant destory AA and AAA. What are the odds they make him play two months in AAA next year as well?
bisanders
6/23
Didn't strike me as being about cost control as much as roster control. I don't think Bryant is on the 40-man. To appear in the majors, he'd have to be added, which probably means that someone else would have to be dropped. What is there to gain, for the Cubs?
mhmosher
6/23
Without looking at their 40-man, I'd have to think it's safe to assume there's someone who could be dropped for Bryant.

I just wish the sport was more about winning and less about how long can we keep young stars at a cheap salary.
jonjacoby
6/23
There is no incentive for the Cubs to promote Bryant, regarding playing control and 40-man roster issues. They are 8.5 games out of the Wild Card. Team can not try and win the pennant every year, the Cubs are trying to win just not in 2014.
davidpom50
6/23
For a general manager (who does not fully control the purse strings, and has to abide by an owner's budget), keeping young stars at cheap salaries IS about winning.
Muboshgu
6/23
Broken leg? All the sources on Correa's injury are talking about the ankle, and are refusing to confirm the extent of the injury until he gets tests today. A broken leg and end of his season would not be surprising, but it doesn't seem confirmed yet.
cdgarosi
6/23
Correa is heading to Houston today for a full evaluation. He certainly sounded positive in all his comments. Of course, he's not a doctor (nor am I) so let's see what they say.
statsrath
6/24
Fixed to reflect that the nature of the injury and the timetable have yet to be announced.
cachhubguy
6/23
When Bryant isn't homering he's striking out. He has plenty to work on. The Cubs gain nothing by bringing him up this year to THIS team.

The sport is about winning and bringing up Bryant isn't going to make the Cubs a winner.
RageOfSnider
6/23
The Jays didn't think he'd "miraculously" find his command at AAA. Their pitching coach in Buffalo is among the most respected in the org, and they presumably moved Sanchez up so he could work with him.
Ashitaka1110
6/23
Whoa whoa whoa. Broken leg? They think it's an ankle injury, a fracture at worst most likely. Correa was quoted as saying he feels fine and isn't worried about it. Suddenly it's a season-ending broken leg?
moore315512
6/23
Initial reports said broken leg which was around the time I wrote up Friday's action. Later reports have seemed less severe. Let's hope they are correct.
Glomar
6/23
You should probably edit that then.
timber
6/23
The Royals have said that Cuthbert playing first is temporary, and that he will move to second in a couple of weeks.

http://msn.foxsports.com/kansas-city/story/meet-the-royals-new-prospect-at-second-base-cheslor-cuthbert-062014